Is Sharm El Sheikh Safe? What UK and German Travel Advice Says (October 2026)

Most people who ask this question want a straight answer from an official source, not a hotel brochure. So this guide quotes what the UK and German governments say about Sharm El Sheikh today, with the date of each, and adds the practical points that keep a Red Sea holiday safe. We read the advice again in October 2026 and will keep this page up to date.

The short answer

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) says: "Travel to Red Sea tourist areas in the southern part of the Sinai Peninsula is generally low risk." It adds that security forces carry out routine checks on vehicles and at airports to protect resorts such as Sharm El Sheikh. The FCDO also says that about one million British people travel to Egypt each year and that most visits are trouble-free.

Where the UK advises against travel

The FCDO advises against all travel to North Sinai. It advises against all but essential travel to the northern part of South Sinai, beyond the St Catherine to Nuweiba road, except for the coastal areas along the west and east of the peninsula. Sharm El Sheikh, at the southern tip of Sinai, is outside these areas.

This matters for your insurance. The FCDO warns that your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against its advice. Before you book a desert trip far inland, check where it goes.

What else the UK advice says

• The FCDO's advice for Egypt as a whole says terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Egypt. This line applies to the whole country, not only to Sinai.
• Book activities outside resort areas through approved agents or tour operators.
• If you travel off road, use a qualified guide. A permit from the Ministry of Interior is needed.
• There have been several serious quad bike accidents involving British nationals in resort areas. Wear a helmet and choose an operator with proper safety kit.
• Most sexual assaults reported to the British Embassy took place in Red Sea resorts, often by someone the victim had already met, including hotel and excursion staff. Report any incident to the tourist police on 126.
• Crime is generally low. Carry your passport or a copy, because police check ID regularly.

What the German Foreign Office says

Germany's Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt) advises against unaccompanied, independent excursions and overland trips in South Sinai, which includes Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba. It recommends booking diving and snorkeling trips, mountain hikes and desert excursions only with licensed local guides. It also reports cases of dengue fever in and around Sharm El Sheikh, so use insect repellent. Its advice was unchanged from 29 September to 11 October 2026.

Safety in the sea

The Red Sea is the reason most people come, and a few simple habits keep it safe:

• Currents can be strong at some reefs, such as Ras Um Sid. Snorkel with a guide or a buddy and stay within your limits.
• Never step on coral. It cuts skin and breaks easily.
• Dive boat standards vary. The FCDO advises checking that your insurance, or the dive company, covers sea or air rescue, which can cost more than 4,000 US dollars an hour.
• Shark attacks are rare, but there have been attacks on tourists in the Red Sea region. Follow local guidance and any beach closures.

Health and everyday care

• Tap water is not safe to drink. Use bottled water.
• From May to September, average daily highs in Sharm are 35 to 38 °C. Drink plenty of water and avoid the midday sun.
• If you need medicine, the FCDO notes that some hotel doctors have overcharged and that pharmacies outside hotels often supply medication at lower prices.
• Emergency numbers: ambulance 123, police 122, tourist police 126, fire 180.

Respect local customs

Dress modestly in town and in markets: cover from shoulders to knees. Mosques and churches ask for more: cover your arms too and wear long, loose clothes. Public displays of affection are frowned upon. Taking photos of children is prohibited, and drones need permission from the Ministry of Defence in advance.

Arriving safely

A pre-booked car at a fixed price is a simple way from the airport to your hotel, especially for a late arrival. Your driver meets you at arrivals and you know the price before you land.

Useful links

• Book a fixed-price airport pickup
• Sharm El Sheikh Airport guide
• Egypt visa checker
• Best snorkeling spots and beaches in Sharm El Sheikh

Sources

• UK Foreign Office, Egypt travel advice, regional risks (updated 4 August 2026): gov.uk
• UK Foreign Office, warnings and insurance (updated 4 August 2026): gov.uk
• UK Foreign Office, safety and security (updated 4 August 2026): gov.uk
• UK Foreign Office, health (updated 4 August 2026): gov.uk
• UK Foreign Office, getting help: gov.uk
• German Foreign Office, Egypt travel and safety advice (as of 11 October 2026): auswaertiges-amt.de
• Average temperatures, WMO climate normals 1991-2020 for Sharm El Sheikh airport: ncei.noaa.gov
• Tap water, National Geographic Traveller (9 May 2024): nationalgeographic.com